Extended large lock closure starts Nov. 7 at Ballard Locks

Annual maintenance will close down the large lock at the Ballard Locks for 24 days next month.

The closure is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. on Nov. 7 and end at 8 p.m. on Nov. 23. The small lock will still be available for vessels less than 120 feet long and 26 feet wide.

Emergency vessels will have priority to pass through the small locks during the large lock closure, followed by government, commercial, and then recreational vessels.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the annual maintenance helps keep the 105-year-old Ballard Locks functional.

“The parts are underwater and have lasted more than 100 years because of our maintenance program,” Operations Project Manager Jon Hofstra said in a news release. “They are beyond their service life and parts are no longer available. If they fail, it could mean the large chamber would be closed months and months. That would be economically devastating. In coming years, we are working on improving our navigation infrastructure to help ensure we have reliable long-term operations for our stakeholders.”